Bhutanese band brings international flavor to Hard Rock Pattaya

Last Friday was a good night for Hard Rock Pattaya to launch its latest inhouse band to entertain hotel guests and visitors. The launch took place at the famous Hard Rock beach Café where local press and guests gave the Bhutanese band O’Strangers a very warm welcome and in return the visitors from the Himalayan kingdom played their full repertoire of music featuring ballads and rock songs.

O’Strangers is a 4-piece group comprising Sonam Jurme (songwriter), Zombie (lead singer), Michael (drummer) and Ezzuu Bj (lead guitarist). Formerly known as Upsurge, a few band members regrouped to form O’Strangers and mark a new chapter in their musical destiny.

As Upsurge, they received widespread acclaim following the release of their first album “Shaw Lhab Marp”, which featured hit songs “Megi Dhuema”, “Acho Daka” and “Pazo”. When the band members decided to part ways to pursue new directions, O’Strangers was formed out of the ashes of the previous band and focused more on exploring alternative/folk rock style music, moving away from their former genre of classic Bhutanese ballads.

In 2018, O’Strangers released their first single, “Haema Haema”, a Japanese rock-inspired ballad that was an instant hit in Bhutan. They also recorded two original songs for the movie “Love in Sikkim”, which underlined the versatility of their compositions. Much of the band’s appeal stems from their distinctive sound, and ability to fuse popular cover songs into unique renditions that are uncompromising of the band’s musical identity.

O’Strangers has played over 50+ gigs in Bhutan, including the International Band Festival 2015 in Thimphu. The band has also appeared on BBS, the country’s biggest broadcasting TV network, for an hour-long interview with a phenomenal fans’ response. Similarly, Kuzoo FM, the most popular radio station in Bhutan, also hosted the band on its evening prime time show.

O’Strangers launched its debut album, “The Angel of the Stone Age”, with a live concert at the Lugar Theatre in Thimphu, Bhutan in July last year.

For all Thai fans out there, O’Strangers will be playing live at Hard Rock Pattaya from 5 January to 4 March 2019. Meet O’Strangers every Monday 9pm & on Saturday 8pm-9pm at Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya and on Wednesday-Sunday 5pm-6.45pm at the Poolside of Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya & 7.30pm–9.15pm at Moon Deck. Free entrance.